Management Team

CURTIS HUTTEN - Managing Partner

Actively involved with renewable energy as both an investor and advisor, Mr. Hutten co-founded CHAMPIONS SOLAR with the goal of significantly reducing the cost of solar power and building a trusted national brand adopted by businesses and educational and government institutions.  During the '90s Mr. Hutten was a key executive at Sunwest Solar (now Sunwest Industries) and Tomorrow Technologies a private Renewable Energy Thinktank.

An entrepreneur at heart, Curtis has served in various roles as Founder, Chairman, CEO, and Director for companies ranging in size from start up to Publicly Traded. Curtis has led corporate equity investments of $100,000,000 in the alternative energy, technology, financial, media, healthcare, real estate, advertising, and marketing industries. In addition to investment, he assisted those companies with strategic business, marketing and financial development.

For the past several years, Curtis has served as Chairman and CEO of VivaVision. Recognized as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S., VivaVision was named to the INC. 500 list for 2008 and also named one of the top 5 media companies on the Inc. 500 list. VivaVision, with revenue growth exceeding 1,000 percent since 2004, has the ability to reach 250 million subscribers worldwide through partners such as Verizon, Disney, AT&T, Univision and Sprint.

Mr. Hutten played a key role in the success of the smash hit, CSI board games. Based upon the popular CSI television series and selling millions globally it continues to provide fun entertainment worldwide. He has also provided his marketing and branding expertise to Astron Corporation, the industry’s leading communications power supply company providing global solutions for companies like Motorola, U.S. Army/Navy/Air Force/Marines/Coast Guard, Clarion, Garmin, Caterpillar and IBM.

While still in college, Mr. Hutten began his career as a young executive at Hill Holliday Advertising Agency and Cullinet Software, the first Independent software company to be listed on the NYSE. His contributions helped it grow and eventually be acquired by Computer Associates.

Mr. Hutten graduated summa cum laude from the University of Massachusetts, with a BS in Business Management, where he was named Outstanding Student Athlete.

JOE TAFOYA - Managing Partner

Mr. Tafoya is CHAMPIONS SOLAR's co-founder and CMO, driving the company vision to go beyond just installing Solar Energy systems and actually giving back to customers and their communities through Educational Programs, Fundraisers and mini Solar Training Camps that he organizes with other NFL, NBA and other champion athletes.

While Spending 8 seasons (2001-2008) in the NFL, Joe helped the Chicago, Seattle, Arizona organizations reach the NFC championship game and achieved the highest level of success in professional football by helping the 2005 Seattle Seahawks reach the super bowl as a defensive lineman and special teams standout. 

 

Joe brings a leadership quality and commitment to success found in very few people around the world, including being an NFL team captain.

This proven ability to promote a team environment and help build a successful organization from within helps Joe to work with entrepreneurs, as they relate his relentless nature and strong work ethic.

 

Early development in the business world began for Joe  in 2001 when he helped raise and manage a real estate fund with several NFL friends purchasing and selling property in Wheeling and Lake Forest Illinois.  In 2003, Mr. Tafoya began work with two major construction companies in Chicago and Seattle serving as  project manager.  2005 Mr. Tafoya eventually went on to own, operate and sell a successful construction company in the Seattle area.

Raising a second fund with NFL friends Mr. Tafoya began investing venture capital and growth capital focusing on environmental technologies such as fuel economy/emission reducing technology, new building materials, and recycling projects.   Joe is currently consulting for several technology companies and continuing progress on raising a 3rd fund.

A talented public speaker, Joe organizes non profit events along with helping entrepreneurs  develop their businesses.

Mr. Tafoya graduated with a B.A. in Communications from University of Arizona.